Professional Affiliations:

Biodiversity Activities

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE: Namibia has a unique biodiversity, which is at risk because of:

A lack of awareness and understanding

Habitat loss and pollution

NaDEET’s Response: At NaDEET Centre, children and adults explore the rich biodiversity of the Namib Desert. They learn about the adaptations of different animals and plants in this extreme environment and adopt these in their own living practices.

Nature Walks

Participants explore the inhabitants of the Namib
Desert on a morning dune walk. They encounter
various plant and animal species such
as the Smelly Shepherd’s Tree, White Lady
Spider and Tok Tokkie Beetles.

Trapping & Identification

Two kinds of traps are set out in the evening
to catch nocturnal small mammals, insects,
arachnids and reptiles. In the morning
participants identify what they have
caught and investigate the adaptations before
releasing the animals again.

What Can You Do At Home

Become interested in your local animal and plant life.

Learn more about how animals and plants are adapted for survival.

Respect all living beings and acknowlege their importance in the ecosystem.

Artwork

Participants explore plant and animal
adaptations by creating artwork. Primary
school children invent their own
‘Super Adapted Desert Animals’. Secondary
school children make posters to
illustrate the different commonly found
biodiversity classes – mammals, plants,
insects, arachnids, birds and reptiles –
in the Namib.